REACH FURTHER
Extend your
Capabilities.
We specialize in Agency and Medium-Sized Business support, helping extend your competencies in design, web development, branding, messaging and more. Partnering with us adds a creative and execution swiss army knife to your tool kit.
WHY AGENCIES TRUST US
The best compliment
we get is silence.
Nobody knew we were there.
BEHIND THE BEST WORK SINCE 2004
An agency’s agency.
When an agency needs more capacity, or a capability they do not keep in house, we step in under their umbrella. Sometimes we become their web and design team. Sometimes we just take a few things off their plate when the week gets heavy. Either way, the client sees one seamless team, and that team is yours.
01
Sometimes we become their web and design team
Websites and custom web software your roster cannot build alone, delivered under your name.
02
Sometimes we just take a few things off your plate
Branding, design, contests, rebates and promotions, handled end to end.
We are contest experts
entries collected. Hundreds of contests.
For more than two decades we have built, launched and watched over contests for some of the largest brands in North America. We have collected millions of entries across hundreds of promotions, and we have caught the fraud, the bots and the edge cases that most teams never see coming.
Explore contests →WHAT WE DO
One studio, a very deep bench.
Most studios pick a lane. We have spent over twenty years building across them, which means the branding talks to the website, the website talks to the contest, and the contest talks to the data. Here is the short version of what we can take on.
01
Branding & brand strategy
Positioning, identity and systems teams actually follow – built to last, not just to launch.
02
Websites
From a single homepage to a full platform, built to convert and easy for your team to manage.
03
Custom web software
Built to a goal, not squeezed into a template – the tool that does not exist yet, made to fit.
Graphic & campaign design
Print and digital, from signage to social.
Contests & incentives
Points and rebate programs, run end to end.
WordPress
Builds, repairs and performance work.
Consulting
Advice on campaigns and capability.
Learning systems (LMS)
Enterprise LMS shaped to your industry.
Reward catalogues
Inventory and fulfilment, managed.
BEHIND THE BEST WORK SINCE 2003
We build the work.
You take the bow.
The Design Cell is a design and development studio that works under your banner. Branding, software, websites, contests and print, delivered with no ego and a lot of precision.
WHAT WE DO
Training built around you, not the other way around.
Our learning management system starts with a conversation, not a login. We interview the people who own the outcome, then configure the platform to the industry and the goal. Restaurants train staff on cleanliness and new menu items. Construction sites confirm that the workers on site hold the right certifications. Customer facing brands turn product education into a points earning experience, complete with a catalogue worth ordering from. SCORM and certifications are built in.
WHO WE HELP
Made for four kinds of teams
Agencies
who need a partner that works under their banner, with no ego
Agencies
A partner that works under your banner, with no ego. You sell it, we build it, your client only ever sees you.
Non-profits & SMBs
with no internal web or design team
Non-profits & SMBs
For teams with no internal web or design department, we become the studio you do not have to hire.
Brands running contests
who want experts watching every entry
Brands running contests
Experts who watch every single entry, so the fraud never sees daylight and the winner is always fair.
Enterprises
that need a learning platform shaped to their industry
Enterprises
A learning platform shaped to your industry after we interview your stakeholders — never a one-size template.
Two Decades · Names Sealed
Two decades behind some of the biggest names on the planet.
We have been in business since 2003, working under other agencies’ banners to deliver for some of the largest companies on earth. We cannot always say who they are, and that is rather the point. What we can say is that we care, a great deal, about precision and about our clients’ success.
Hover or tap a tile to unredact it
LET’S TALK
Let's build something good, quietly.
Tell us what is on your plate. We will tell you, honestly, whether we are the right team to take it on.
The lead differentiator
An agency’s agency.
When an agency needs more capacity, or a capability they do not keep in house, we step in under their umbrella. Sometimes we become their web and design team. Sometimes we just take a few things off their plate when the week gets heavy. Either way, the client sees one seamless team, and that team is yours.
Sometimes we become their web and design team
Websites and custom web software your roster cannot build alone, delivered under your name.
Sometimes we take a few things off your plate
Branding, design, and contests, rebates and promotions run end to end — the overflow, handled quietly.
What we do
One studio, a very deep bench.
Most studios pick a lane. We have spent over twenty years building across them, which means the branding talks to the website, the website talks to the contest, and the contest talks to the data. Here is the short version of what we can take on.
Branding & brand strategy
Positioning, identity and systems teams actually follow.
Graphic & campaign design
Print and digital, from signage to social.
Websites
From a single homepage to a full platform.
Custom web software
Built to a goal, not squeezed into a template.
Contests & incentives
Points and rebate programs, run end to end.
WordPress
Builds, repairs and performance work.
Consulting
Advice on campaigns and capability.
Learning systems (LMS)
Enterprise LMS shaped to your industry.
Reward catalogues
Inventory and fulfilment, managed.
Enterprise learning
Training built around you, not the other way around.
Our learning management system starts with a conversation, not a login. We interview the people who own the outcome, then configure the platform to the industry and the goal. Restaurants train staff on cleanliness and new menu items. Construction sites confirm that workers on site hold the right certifications. Customer-facing brands turn product education into a points-earning experience. SCORM and certifications are built in.
Who we help
Made for four kinds of teams.
Two decades · names sealed
Two decades behind some of the biggest names on the planet.
We have been in business since 2003, working under other agencies’ banners to deliver for some of the largest companies on earth. We cannot always say who they are, and that is rather the point. What we can say is that we care, a great deal, about precision and about our clients’ success.
Hover or tap a tile to unredact it.
Let’s talk
Let’s build something good, quietly.
Tell us what is on your plate. We will tell you, honestly, whether we are the right team to take it on.
REACH FURTHER.
Extend Your Capabilities
We specialize in Agency and Medium-Sized Business support, helping extend your competencies in design, web development, branding, messaging and more. Partnering with us adds a creative and execution swiss army knife to your tool kit.
Reach further.
Extend Your Capabilities
We specialize in Agency and Medium-Sized Business support, helping extend your competencies in design, web development, branding, messaging and more. Partnering with us adds a creative and execution swiss army knife to your tool kit.
White-Label Creative & Development for Agencies
Scale Your Agency Without Scaling Your Overhead We specialize in: • Custom WordPress development • Enterprise website design & development • Learning Management System (LMS) development • Promotional contest & sweepstakes platforms • In-store POS & retail marketing design • Brand development & identity systems • Ongoing digital marketing execution We work as an extension of your team — discreet, reliable, and performance-driven.
Enterprise-Level Execution. Boutique-Level Attention.
We’ve supported startups, growing regional brands, and some of the largest companies in the world. Our infrastructure, security standards, and development workflows allow us to handle complex enterprise initiatives — without sacrificing creativity or speed.
Specialized Solutions That Drive Engagement
Contest & Sweepstakes Platforms Custom-built promotional microsites, secure entry systems, prize management tools, and real-time reporting. Learning Management Systems (LMS) Scalable training portals for employees, franchise networks, channel partners, and customers. In-Store POS & Retail Creative Strategic point-of-sale design that converts foot traffic into revenue.
Millions of entries
For more than two decades we have built, launched and watched over contests for some of the largest brands in North America. We have collected millions of entries across hundreds of promotions, and we have caught the fraud, the bots and the edge cases that most teams never see coming.
An agency's agency
When an agency needs more capacity, or a capability they do not keep in house, we step in under their umbrella. Sometimes we become their web and design team. Sometimes we just take a few things off their plate when the week gets heavy. Either way, the client sees one seamless team, and that team is yours.
• Branding and design, ready to ship under your name
• Websites and custom web software your roster cannot build alone
• Contests, rebates and promotions, run end to end
We are contest experts.
Millions of entries
For more than two decades we have built, launched and watched over contests for some of the largest brands in North America. We have collected millions of entries across hundreds of promotions, and we have caught the fraud, the bots and the edge cases that most teams never see coming.
One studio, a very deep bench
Most studios pick a lane. We have spent over twenty years building across them, which means the branding talks to the website, the website talks to the contest, and the contest talks to the data. Here is the short version of what we can take on.
- Branding and brand strategy
- Graphic and campaign design, print and digital
- Websites, from a single homepage to a full platform
- Custom web software built to a goal, not a template
- Contests, rebates and points based incentive programs
- WordPress builds, repairs and performance work
- Consulting on campaigns and capability
- Learning systems (LMS) for enterprise teams
- Inventory and reward catalogue management
Training built around you
not the other way around
Our learning management system starts with a conversation, not a login. We interview the people who own the outcome, then configure the platform to the industry and the goal. Restaurants train staff on cleanliness and new menu items. Construction sites confirm that the workers on site hold the right certifications. Customer facing brands turn product education into a points earning experience, complete with a catalogue worth ordering from. SCORM and certifications are built in.
FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES
Behind some of the biggest names on the planet
We have been in business since 2003, working under other agencies’ banners to deliver for some of the largest companies on earth. We cannot always say who they are, and that is rather the point. What we can say is that we care, a great deal, about precision and about our clients’ success.
FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES
Behind some of the biggest names on the planet
We have been in business since 2003, working under other agencies’ banners to deliver for some of the largest companies on earth. We cannot always say who they are, and that is rather the point. What we can say is that we care, a great deal, about precision and about our clients’ success.
Who we're made for
Agencies who need a partner that works under their banner, with no ego
Unlock the full potential of social media with our expert strategies and proven techniques. Let us guide you towards success in the online world and make your brand shine on every platform.
Non profits and small to medium businesses with no internal web or design team
Experience the unparalleled creativity and excellence of our award-winning studio. Our team of talented artists and industry professionals are dedicated to delivering innovative and impactful designs.
Brands running contests who want experts watching every entry
Join our vibrant community and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passions and interests. Together, we can inspire, support, and empower each other to reach our goals.
• Enterprises that need a learning platform shaped to their industry
Discover a personalized shopping journey. Our recommendation engine curates items tailored to your tastes. Each suggestion feels hand-picked.
What is The Design Cell?
The Design Cell is a Canadian design and development studio founded in 2003 and based in Burlington, Ontario. It provides branding, design, websites, custom software, contests and learning systems, often working under the banner of other agencies.
What is an agency support agency?
An agency support agency provides design, development and campaign services on behalf of another agency. The Design Cell joins an agency’s team under its umbrella, either as an ongoing web and design team or as overflow capacity when the workload spikes.
Does The Design Cell run contests?
Yes. The Design Cell has built and managed hundreds of contests and collected millions of entries for major North American brands, including the fraud, bot and edge case monitoring that keeps a promotion clean.
Who does The Design Cell work with?
Agencies, non profits and small to medium businesses without an internal design team, brands running contests, and enterprises that need a configurable learning platform.
Where is The Design Cell located?
The Design Cell is based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and works with clients across Canada and the United States.